Marlborough – Sister Dorothy Belanger, a Sister of St. Anne, known in religion as Sister M. Anne Dorothy, died at the age of 102 at Marie Esther Health Center in this city Friday, April 28, 2017 in the 79th year of vowed religious life.
She was born in North Adams, the youngest of ten children born to Adelard and Aldora (Contois) Belanger. She completed her elementary school education in North Adams and graduated from the former St. Anne Academy in Marlboro. She earned a BA degree in Education from Catholic Teachers College of Rhode Island and also earned certification and license in Braille.
In 1936, she joined the Sisters of Saint Anne in Lachine, Quebec, and professed vows in 1938. She returned to the United States to begin a 50 year teaching career in schools staffed by the Sisters of St. Anne in Central Falls, R.I., Worcester, Marlborough, Ludlow, and Lynn. In her retirement years, she was a Visitor to the Elderly and Shut-ins in Bradenton, Sanford and Tampa Florida. She continued that outreach when she returned to the former Holy Name of Jesus parish in Worcester.
Sister Dorothy is mourned and will be held in fond memory by her Sisters in religion and by her grandnieces, Janice Bury and her family and Joan Middlebrook and her family, as well as other extended family members.
Viewing will be held Tuesday, May 2, from 9-10:15 a.m., and will be followed by her funeral liturgy at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anne Convent, 720 Boston Post Road East, Marlborough. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Fitzgerald & Collins Funeral Home, 378 Lincoln St., Marlborough.
All are invited to sign Sr. Dorothy’s online guestbook at www.CollinsFuneral.com.
Memorial donations may be made to Sisters of St. Anne Retirement Fund or to a charity of your choice.
